'''Ravens''' were large black birds, often associated with ill news. The ravens that lived near [[Erebor]], though, were friendly with the [[Dwarves]], and some could even speak the [[Common Tongue]]. [[Roäc]] was the leader of the ravens of Erebor around [[Third Age 2940|T.A. 2940]], when [[Thorin and Company]] reclaimed the mountain from [[Smaug]].

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[[File:Mark Evans - Ravens.jpg|thumb|''Ravens'' by Mark Evans]]

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'''Ravens''' were large black birds,<ref>{{LB|C2}}, p. 161 (§119)</ref> associated with ill news of death,<ref>{{HM|LB}}, pp. 164-165, 341</ref> and were known for their harsh voices.<ref>{{TT|III10}}</ref> The ravens that lived on [[Ravenhill]] near [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], though, were friendly with the [[Dwarves]], and some could even speak [[Westron]]. [[Carc]] had been one of these, and his son [[Roäc]] was the leader of the ravens of Erebor around {{TA|2941}}, when [[Thorin and Company]] reclaimed the mountain from [[Smaug]].<ref>{{H|15}}</ref>

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When [[Peregrin Took]] became one of the [[Guards of the Citadel]], his new garments included a "''high-crowned helm with small raven-wings on either side''".<ref>{{RK|V4}}</ref>

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==Inspiration==

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It has been suggested that [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s use of ravens is reminiscent of [[Wikipedia:Odin|Odin]]'s two messenger-ravens [[Wikipedia:Huginn and Muminn|Huginn and Muminn]] of the Norse mythology, appearing in the ''[[Edda]]''.<ref>{{HM|AH}}, p. 315</ref> ''See also: [[Roäc#Inspiration|Roäc: Inspiration]]''

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In ''[[The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún]]'', the lord of the ravens is [[Wikipedia:Rerir|Rerir]], grandson of Ódin.<ref>{{HM|SG}}, p. 72</ref> Ravens are further associated with the coming of death.<ref>{{HM|SG}}, pp. 275, 285</ref>

: Ravens, level 4 birds, are enchanted and intelligent, friends of the Free Peoples. They are reputedly the messengers of the Vala [[Mandos]], and are able to speak many Mannish and Elvish tongues.<ref>{{ICE|2012}}, pp. 26, 132</ref>

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'''2002-5: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game]]'':'''

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: "Ravens of the North" are "''creatures of especially powerful magic''", being able to understand Westron and having extraordinarily long lives.<ref>{{D|Fell}}, p. 58</ref>